Continuous pouring furnace



Jam. 4, 394. L, WOLFE 2,458,236

con'rImJous rename mmcn Filed Dec. 7, 1944. Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Edward LII all? Jan. 4, 1949. WOLFF I 2,458,236

commuous POURING FURNACE Filed Dan. '7, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

o 1 1- I r 2% 41' TORNEY Jan.4,1949. E. L, WOLFF I -2,458,236

CONTINUOUS POURING FURNACE Filed Dec. 7, 1944 I x as (I89 \IQOT 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 4, 1949. E. L. WOLFF CONTINUOUS POURING FURNACE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 7, 1944 FIGA INVENTQR E dward LQWal/f.

I ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1949 CONTINUOUS POURING FURNACE Edward L. Wolff, Waterbury, Conn, assignor to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application December 7, 1944, Serial No. 567,022

2 Claims. 1

My present invention relates to the casting of metal, and more particularly to continuous casting apparatus adapted to form continuously cast lengths or bars of metal from a source of molten metal.

More specifically, my invention relates to the apparatus whereby the molten metal is transmitted to the continuous casting mold.

In connection with this basic problem of transmission of the molten metal from the furnace to the continuous casting mold, my invention contemplates an improved and novel casting furnace.

together with a channel-like reservoir for feeding the metal to the mold, which channel-like reservoir is integral with the furnace and is arranged to transmit the molten metal directly from the furnace to the continuous casting mold.

Heretofore in continuous casting processes, the molten metal was conducted from the melting furnace to the continuous casting apparatus in various ways. One of the more recent methods embodied the forcing of the molten metal by pressure from a holding furnace up and through a somewhat lengthy suitably formed continuous conduit to a reservoir from which the molten metal flowed down into the continuous casting mold. Such a conduit and reservoir always pre-.

sentcd the possibility that the metal might freeze during transmission: or that after the operation was stopped, metal remaining in the conduit might freeze and block subsequent operation. Accordingly, complex apparatus was necessary, including auxiliary heating members to prevent freezing of the metal anywhere along the various paths through which it is required to flow.

A primary object of my present invention is to overcome this difficulty by making the reservoir for the continuous casting process integral with the furnace itself. and indeed to make the reservoir a channel-like extension of the upper portion of the furnace.

Another object of my invention is to so arrange the channel-like reservoir that when the metal is not intended to be poured therefrom, the positioning of the furnace itself in appropriate non-pouring position is sufficient to stop the flow into the said reservoir.

Still another object of my invention is the arrangement of a furnace having a reservoir comprising a channel member attached thereto so that the furnace may be tilted to cause the molten metal to flow into the reservoir and then to pour through a downspout attached to the bottom of the reservoir; and to so arrange the furnace that when it is replaced in horizontal position, the

molten metal will recede from the reservoir so that it will no longer flow through the downspout.

Still another object of my invention is the arrangement of the furnace so that it will have at least two similar channel-like reservoirs each of which may separately be brought into appropriate position with respect to the single continuous casting mold so that these opposite reservoirs may be selectively used in the manner above set forth.

For this purpose, my invention contemplates that the furnace be rotatably mounted as well as tiltable, so that opposite channel-like reservoirs may selectively be used. This latter provision will enable repair and replacement of the downspout of either reservoir while the entire remaining apparatus is in use.

Still another object of my invention is the arrangement of the furnace and reservoir so that additional metal may readily be poured thereinto while the same is in operation, so that the operation may remain truly continuous. This additional means contemplates a pouring arrangement which will itself obviate any turbulence in the metal in the feed reservoir or channel.

My invention provides the advantages of mechanical simplicity; lessening of the possibility of freezing; direct pouring: continuous pouring to the downspout; and a reduction of oxidation since the surface in contact with air is reduced.

The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

Figure l is a schematic cross-sectional view of my novel furnace and reservoir arrangement adapted for a continuous casting process.

Figure 2 is a side view of the furnace shown in full lines in non-operating position and in dotted lines in the operating position, and showing the downspout for supplying metal to the mold.

Figure 3 is a view of my furnace taken from line 33 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 4 and 5 show different positions of the ladle tilting mechanism of Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 1, I have shown my novel furnace l0 tilted into operating position.

As there shown, my structure comprises primarily a furnace for carrying molten metal to be cast and two channel-like reservoirs i5 and I5a integral with and extending from opposite ends of the furnace. Each channel-like reservoir is provided with an individual downspout l9 and He. for feeding metal from its individual reservoir to the casting mold.

In the tilted position shown, it will be seen that only one channel-like reservoir (it in this case) is operative at a time. The level it of molten metal within the furnace is such that the metal extends from the main chamber it of the furnace into the reservoir l8. When, at the conclusion of any casting operation, the furnace is returned to level position, it will be seen that the level of the molten metal, indicated by dotted line H, will clear the openings 18 and Mia of the downspouts l9 and lBc of the two reservoirs i6 and I511.

The furnace iii comprises a main chamber 54 having walls of heat resisting material and the heater-containing chamber 20, also having walls of heat resisting material, securely attached beneath the main chamber It in any suitable manner. Heat losses "by radiation in the. holding furnace are overcome by attaching to the furnace shell an induction transformer of any well known construction.

One form of standard heater which may be used comprises the coil 2| surrounding the laminations 28. Channel 2'! in which the molten metal flows defines the insulation block 24 (in which the air circulating passage 28 for cooling coil 2i is formed) which surrounds coil 23. In effect, therefore, the loop of molten metal in passage 21 is the secondary of a transformer of which coil 23 is the primary and heat is generated in casting apparatus is so arranged that when the furnace is tilted to the right, asseen in Figure 1, the downspout it of the particular channel-like reservoir it or iia which happens to be in position to register with the mold 30, will enter the upper end of the mold 30.

As is well known in continuous casting processes, the level of liquid metal Si in the mold 80 is maintained above the lower end "of the downspout l9 to obtain underpouring which will permit impurities to float to the top of the mold 30. Similarly, the upper level It of the molten metal in theiurnace I 4 and the channel-like reservoir 18 'is' maintained substantially above the upper been held in vertical position, is tilted to the position shown in Figure 1.

, The level I I of molten'metal new changes to level l3 and the upper end l8 of the downspout is beneath the level of molten metal.

The molten metal in the channel-like reservoir i5 flows down through the opening i8 of the downspout l9 into the mold 30. If desired, the rate of flow may be regulated by any appropriate valve 28 of heat resisting material placed in the opening it of the downspout I! with the said opening Itacting as a valve seat The. rate'of flow of the metal through the downspout l9 may of course alsobe regulated by .varying the diameter of the opening of the downspout l9.

As the level I3 of the molten metal in the channel-like reservoir 18 of the furnace ll drops, additional molten metal is poured in through the tube 83 without interfering in any way with the continuity of the flow of metal from the reservoir it into the mold 30.

The direct feeding fromfurnace chamber i4 and the channel-like reservoir l8 into the mold 80 obviates the diiliculties previously encountered in connection with the pressure or gravity feeds which havebeen used between the furnace and feed reservoir.

If the downspout I8 becomes eroded or for any other reason requires a change or repair, the furnace may be rotated to the vertical position once more, at which time-the molten metal level [1 will clear the downspout openings E8 on each side; and the downspout It will by this movenaent of the furnace be retracted from the mold 3 The furnace is then rotated through bringing the opposite channel-like reservoir We in line with mold 80, and again tilted so as to insert downspout l8a into the mold. 'As the furnace is equipped with duplicate intake tubes 33 diametrically opposite each other, it may be charged from ladle I40 (shown in Figure 3) in either operating position. Two overflow pipes 84, also spaced 180 apart, are provided to maintain the maximum metal level at a given point in case an excess of metal is charged into the furnace unintentionally.

In Figures 2 and 3, I have illustrated a somewhat schematic actual physical embodlment of one form my invention may take. The entire apparatus is supported on a pair of I-beams 50, which in turn are supported by an underlying pair of I-beams 8| on a suitable foundation,

A tiltable platform 88 is supported, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, at the end adjacent the mold to by a pair of standards 58, the said standards 58 being secured in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by the angle irons 81 to the upper surface of I-beams 80. The vertical standards 56 are hollow members of rectangular cross-section. Each of the standards 58 is provided with appropriate bearings 80 for the pivot-pins 8|. An adjustable supporting member 82 is rotatably mounted on the cross-pin M in each standard 56. The I upper end of each adjustable supporting member 62' is pivotally connected to a stud 63 on each side, which stud is secured in U-shaped ofi-set projections 84a welded to each side of the channel member 84 on each side of the platform 88. The two standards 88, together with their adjustable supporting member 62, thus serve to support the end of the platform adjacent the mold 30.

The opposite'sidetla of the platform 88 is supported by a pair of jacks 88, 88, one on each side,

,connected by the cross-member 89a. The base of each jack ispivoted on the pin 10 which is mounted in the supporting clevis II which in turn is secured in any suitable manner to the I-beam 80. Y

The member 88-ofjack 69 on each side is pivotally secured to the stud 15 of the platform side member 84 on each side. that operating the jacks 88 will raise the side 6141 of the platform so that the platform will tilt from the solid line position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to a position where the furnace will occupy the dotted line position shown therein, the said; platform rotating about the opposite studs 63; The platform 88 is provided with a central" circular opening 80. The base of the main cham- It will now be clear 5 v bar iii of the furnace has a greater diameter than the opening 80. The chamber 20 of the furnace has a smaller diameter than the opening and passes through the opening as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The portion of the base of chamber Id of the furnace which extends on the platform 55 beyond the edge of the opening 80 is supported by four vertical rollers 82a, 82a, 82b, 82c spaced at 90 intervals.

Rollers 82a are each rotatably supported on studs 98 between a pair of channels (having the legs 85, 05) at each side of the platform adjacent the platform side members 64. Roller 82b (Figure 2) is rotatably supported on stud 89 between side members 91 of platform 65 and the downwardly extending lug 88 of platform 65. Roller 82c is rotatably supported on stud 90 between downwardly extending lugs 9i, 92 at the opposite side 81a of the platform which is acted on by the Jacks 89.

The furnace as a whole, including its chambers I0 and 20 and the channel-like reservoirs I5 and i5a, may rotate with respect to platform 55 on the rollers 82. The furnace is retained on the platform by the horizontal rollers 95, each of which is rotatable on the stud 98 journalled in the bracket 9! secured to the upper surface of the platform 55.

Four rollers 95 are provided, spaced 90 from each other, acting against the side of chamber it of the furnace I i-20, thus maintaining the furnace in appropriate position on the platform at all times.

The interior construction of the furnace I420 has'already been described in connection with Figure 1.

When it is desired to insert the downspout I9 in the mold 30, the jacks 69 are operated to raise the end 6'! of the platform 55 so that the platform pivots about the studs .83 and the furnace as a whole is tilted to the position shown by the dotted lines of Figure 2 with the downspout I9 entering the top of mold 00.

Should it be desired to withdraw the downspout IQ of reservoir I6 for any reason, then the Jacks 69 are operated to-lower platform 55 back to the solid line position of Figure 2. I

Should the downspout iii of the reservoir I5 be withdrawn for replacement or repair while it is desired that the continuous casting operation proceed, then immediately upon the furnace being lowered to the solid line position of Figure 2, it may be rotated through 180 until the reservoir i5a has been rotated to a position where it overlies the top of the mold 30. Raising the jacks 69 will again tilt the platform 55 in the same direction but this time to insert the downspout I9a into the top of the mold 30.

Replacement and repair of the downspouts is facilitated by the construction of the channel-like reservoirs I0 and lie. As seen in Figure 2, each reservoir IE (or lia) has a section 5 integral with the furnace and a section 4i? removable therefrom. Flanges M8 on sections 0i! match flanges M9 on sections I5 and the liningof sections M5 and lil are cemented together with fire clay. They are also bolted together by bolts and nuts 420 and 42l. When a downspout is to be changed on either reservoir, section M1 is removed by removing the bolts and nuts and breaking the fire clay bond between members 5 and M1. The downspout may then be changed at a distance from the furnace. This obviates the necessity for an operator to work above the top of the furnace while changing a downspout.

Any suitable means for rotating the furnace on the rollers 02 may be provided. I have found that the furnace may even be rotated by hand. I have also found it feasible simply to attach a cable to a lug on the side of the furnace, pass the cable over a direction changing sheave and use an overhead crane pulling on the cable to rotate the furnace.

In Figure 3, I have shown a specific apparatus for rotating the furnace. A bracket 300 is secured to the left side (with respect to Figure 3) of platform 55 in any suitable manner as by bolts The bracket 900 and the furnace rotating apparatus hereinafter described thus tilts with the platform and furnace I4. A motor 305, which is connected to a source of current by flexible leads 306 of sufficient length to permit the platform to. tilt, is mounted on bracket 300; and, through the speed reduction gearing in housing 309 drives the vertical drum 0I0 which has a suitably grooved surface. A wire rope 320 is wound around the drum, one end 32I of the rope passing behind the furnace (as seen in Figure 3) and being secured by a suitable clamp 323 to the furnace at a point more than removed from drum 0I0. The other end 325 of the rope passes in front of the furnace (as seen in Figure 3) and is fastened to the furnace at a point more than 180 from the drum 3I0, Operation of the motor in either direction will rotate the drum am to wind up one end of the cable 300 and unwind the other end of the cable around the chamber I0, thus rotating the furnace in the desired direction for the purposes above described.

A ladle supporting platform H0 is provided at one side of the furnace, as shown in Figure 0. The said ladle supporting platform is pivotally supported on the shaft I i i, which shaft is in turn supported between the pivoting yoke arms H2 on opposite sides. The pivoting yoke arms I I2 are rotatably supported on the cross-shaft II3 between the stationary supporting brackets Ill. The stationary supporting brackets II are mounted on opposite standards H0 which are supported on any suitable base II6.

A jack I20 is pivotally connected at I22 to the end of the platform IIO opposite the shaft III. When the jack I20 is operated, the extending portion I2I thereof rises to raise the end I22 of platform H0 and tilt the same. The dotted line position of the platform H0 shows the position thereof when portion i2! of the Jack I20 is lowered. The lowered position of platform IIO may also be seen in Figure 4.

A side plate I30 is secured in any suitable manner to each side of the platform II0.

Side plates I90, one on each side, each carries the extension I50 provided with slot I02. The yoke arms II2 have pins Ilii engaged by the slot I52. In the lowered (dotted line and Fig. 4) position of the ladle, the platform 0 is horizontal and the outermost (or left) end of slot I52 engages pin IBI. As the jack I20 raises the platform IIO, the platform and its ladle pivot first around shaft H3. That is, yoke arms II2 first rise with the platform. As the platform rotates further in a counterclockwise direction, it moves down with slot I52 sliding with respect to pin ISI (as in Fig. 5) so that the innermost (or right) end of the slot engages pin IBI, the platform now rotating also about shaft III as well; slot I52 is given a slight curvature to permit such rotation. The platform is then lifted to the full line position of Fig. 8 to pour the ladle. Thus, when the ladle i'; moved from the horizontal to pouring position,

the linkage ensures that it will first be tipped (by lifting its back end) and then slide down so that the ladle will be close to the charging spout.

A ladle I40 which is to be poured into the intake tube or funnel 33 of the furnace is lifted by a crane secured to the pivoted bail Ill of the ladle I40 and is placed on the platform I I0. Stop lugs I3I on the side of the ladle bear against side plates I30 to prevent the ladle from tipping out of its frame support when the latter is being tilted.

When the channel-like reservoir I5 is in the lowered position, the charging spout 33 is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 and the pouring end of ladle I40 is positioned with respect to the charging spout 33 so as to pour metal directly into the furnace. When the ladle I40 has been emptied, the platform IIO may be lowe'red and the ladle removed.

Similarly, when the furnace has been rotated so that the reservoir lid is positioned above the mold and the furnace has been tilted to pouring position, the charging spout33a is in position opposite the platform I I0 so that a ladle may be poured thereinto. Thus the upper furnace chamber I0 may be continuously replenished as the level of metal therein falls owing to the pouring of the metal through the downspout I9 and I9a.

The transformer coil, as previously mentioned, is cooled by air. The structural frame work I80 which surrounds and supports the heater is secured by bolts I 8i and lock nuts I83 on the flanged brackets which are secured to section 20 of the furnace. Air for cooling the coil of the heater is forced up through pipe I05 and swivel joint I06 into the elbow I81. The air then passes into pipe I88 and through swivel joint I89 into elbow I90 and then into the telescoping sheet metal duct I9II92; then into the small manifold I93 which has an opening matching a similar opening in the side of the supporting structure I80 and into and through the cooling passage of the heater. Bolt I90 passing through bracket I99 passes also through the outside of manifold I93 where the nut I99 acting on spring 200 may tighten the manifold I93 against the air intake opening of the heater. The manifold I93 thus may rotate about thebolt I98. The combination of swivel joints, the telescoping duct and the rotatable mounting of manifold I93 permits the furnace to rotate freely while the air cooling connection is maintained.

It will be obvious that each downspout I9 of each of the feed reservoir channels I5 or IE1: may be adjusted circumferentially with respect to platform 55 to appropriate position in the mold 30.

It may be necessary, however, to make a slight adjustment of the downspout I9 or of the intake spout 33 in a direction forward or away from effecting the swinging movement of the supports 62 hereinafter described.

A bolt-2 I 0 passes through an appropriate opening in one side of each standard 58 and then through the nut ZII in the adjustable support 82 and extends at II! on the opposite side of the standard 56. The nut 2I2 is secured against rotation, preferably by means of the inset key pin 2I3. Appropriate square raised portions 2Il' integral with standards 56 are provided between thehead of the bolt H0 and the nut M2 and the sides of the standard 56,for reinforcing and providing a suitable bearing for the bolt 2I0 at that portion thereof.

Rotation of the head 2I0 or of the nut 2Irof the bolt will now cause the bolt to rotate with respect to the threaded opening 2 in the adjustable support 62 and cause the adjustable support to rotate slightly about the pin 6i. This will cause a;movement of the platform to the right or left with respect to Figure 2 in accordance with the direction of rotation of the bolt 2I0. Obviously, the jacks 69 will pivot .at the pivots I5 and 10' to accommodate itself to this slight lateral movement. In this way appropriate adjustment of the position of the downspout I0 or of the intake spout 33 may be obtained for proper operation of the device.

It will thus be seen that my invention eliminates the necessity for any pressure feed or other complex feeding arrangements between the furnace and the feed reservoir, and that in fact the feed reservoir is a channel-like integral extension of the furnace. Apart from the fact that the heat-holding qualities of my apparatus are thus greatly improved over those previously used, the metal pours directly from the furnace through the feed reservoir and downspout into the mold.

Changes in the downspout made necessary by erosion thereof or for other reasons do not interfere with the continuous operation of the mold fed by my furnace since it only takes a few moments to return the furnace to horizontal position, rotate the same through and rotate it again to the tilted position. I have found that a 25 inclination of the furnace with the arrangement herein shown is sufficient for accomplishing my purpose.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with specific preferred embodiments thereof which have functioned commercially. Since, however, many variations and modifications of my invention within the spirit of the foregoing disclosure should now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein but only by the appended claims.

I claim:'

1. A casting furnace; a lurality of channel members connected to the side of said furnace;

said channel members being substantially regu larly spaced around said furnace; said channel members each having a passage communicating with the interior of said furnace; each channel member extending substantially radially from the side of said furnace; the base of each channel member forming a hearth; an opening in'each hearth; a spout mounted in each opening and extending beneath'the hearth; means for tilting said furnace; molten metal flowing from the interior of said furnace into one of thechannel members and over the hearth thereof when the furnace is tilted ;.and means for rotating said furnace to pred'eterminethe particular channel member into which the molten metal will flow when the furnace istilted.

2. A casting furnace; a plurality of channel members connected to the side ofsaid furnace; said channel members being substantially regularly spaced aroundsaidfurnace; said channel members each having a passage communicating with the interior of said furnace; each channel member extending substantially radially from the side of said furnace; the base of each channel member forming a hearth; an opening in each hearth; a spout mounted in each opening and extending beneath the hearth; means for tilting said furnace; means for predetermining the upper level of molten metal in said furnace; said upper level of molten metal being below the channel 1 EDWARD L. WOLFF.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Hartman June 27, 1893 Iles Apr. 21, 1896 Heroult Aug. 26, 1902 Michaels 1 Sept. 9, 1913 Clark June 12, 1923 Luetscher Nov. 18, 1924 Morgan Nov.-25, 1930 Wadman Oct. 4, 1932 McWane Feb. 23, 1937 York June 18, 1940 Bahney et al Oct. 17, 1944 Bahney et a1 Feb. 13,- 1945 Hopkins Aug. 20, 1946 

